Park Tools

Local Economic Benefit

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area Tourism Creates $6,261,000 in Local Economic Benefit

Part of $30 billion impact that supports 252,000 jobs nationwide

Fort Smith, MT/Lovell, WY - A new National Park Service (NPS) report for 2011 shows that the 201,010 visitors to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA) spent $6,261,000.in communities surrounding the park. This spending supported 90jobs in the local area.

"Bighorn Canyon NRAis a wonderful place to learn about America's story," said park superintendent Jerry Case. "We attract visitors from across the U.S. and around the world who come here to experience unconfined water recreation, to enjoy opportunities for solitude, and to relive the history of the area and then spend time and money enjoying the services provided by our neighboring communities and getting to know this amazing part of the country. The National Park Service is proud to have been entrusted with the care of America's most treasured places and delighted that the visitors we welcome generate significant contributions to the local, state, and national economy."

The information on Bighorn Canyon NRAis part of a peer-reviewed spending analysis of national park visitors across the country conducted by Michigan State University for the National Park Service. For 2011, that report shows $13 billion of direct spending by 279 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. That visitor spending had a $30 billion impact on the entire U.S. economy and supported 252,000 jobs nationwide. Most visitor spending supports jobs in lodging, food, and beverage service (63 percent) followed by recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11percent), transportation and fuel (7 percent) and wholesale and manufacturing (2 percent.)

The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state.

To learn more about national parks in Montana or Wyomingand how the National Park Service works withcommunities to preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide local recreation opportunities, go to www.nps.gov/Montanaor www.nps.gov/Wyoming